Governor Abbott’s Statement On President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting Women’s Sports
February 6, 2025 – Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Save Women’s Sports Act into law in 2023. It marking a significant development in the state’s approach to competitive sports and gender classification. The legislation is designed to preserve fair competition in women’s athletics by ensuring that only athletes designated as female at birth can participate in women’s sports. Proponents of the act argue that it is essential for maintaining a level playing field, particularly in high school and collegiate sports, where biological differences are believed to confer competitive advantages. They assert that the law provides clarity for athletic organizations and schools, safeguarding opportunities for cisgender female athletes and ensuring consistency in competition rules.
“Today is a historic day for female athletes across the country who have worked tirelessly to compete at the highest level,” said Governor Abbott. “President Trump’s Executive Order prohibiting biological men from competing in women’s sports will safeguard the integrity of women’s sports, and I am proud to have joined the President at the White House for this historic signing. Female athletes across the nation can be assured that fairness will be protected.”
Critics, however, raise concerns that the law is exclusionary toward transgender individuals, potentially limiting their right to compete according to their gender identity. Advocacy groups and civil rights organizations warn that such restrictions may have broader social implications, affecting the mental and emotional well-being of transgender youth. They argue that the legislation could foster an environment of discrimination and marginalization, undermining efforts toward inclusivity in sports and society as a whole.
Governor Abbott defended the law as a necessary measure to protect the integrity of women’s sports, emphasizing that it aligns with the state’s longstanding commitment to competitive fairness. With the act now in effect, Texas athletic programs, school districts, and sports associations must adjust their policies to comply with the new requirements. As the law is implemented, its impact on team compositions, competition structures, and the broader dialogue on gender in sports will be closely monitored, contributing to ongoing national debates about fairness, inclusion, and the rights of transgender athletes.
